Teeth Whitening Specialist
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Juan M. Carrillo, DMD
General Dentist & Cosmetic Dentist located in Richmond, VA
If your smile has lost some of its brilliance, or if you’ve never truly felt the confidence of a bright, radiant smile, teeth whitening procedures could be right for you. In just a few short visits to the Richmond, Virginia, practice of Juan M. Carrillo, DMD, or with a quick take-home procedure, you can have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. For more information, call the office today or make an appointment online.
Teeth Whitening Q & A
How are teeth whitened?
Teeth whitening procedures use a peroxide-based bleaching agent to give your teeth a brighter and more brilliant shine. The whitening procedure involves spreading a gel or foam bleaching agent over your teeth, sometimes using light or heat to intensify their effects.
Dr. Carrillo can offer a wide range of options for you to whiten your teeth, including in-office treatments and take-home kits, all of which are more effective than the treatments found at your local pharmacy.
What’s the difference between in-office and at-home procedures?
Both at-home and in-office whitening treatments whiten your teeth through a similar process, but they go about it in different ways. The two main factors in teeth whitening are the strength of the bleaching agent and the amount of time it’s applied to your teeth.
As a general rule, stronger bleaching agents and longer exposure mean whiter teeth, but the strongest bleaching agents can harm your teeth when used improperly or for too long.
Typically, in-office procedures use bleaching agents containing 20-45% peroxide, while at-home procedures contain 3-20% peroxide.
Dr. Carrillo’s training means he can use stronger bleaching agents with more precision, and finish the process in just a few visits of 30-60 minutes each, or maybe just one longer visit of about two hours.
In an at-home treatment, you apply the bleaching agent yourself every night for a few weeks. This can be in the form of a strip, gel, or a tray shaped like a mouthguard that you wear from a few minutes to several hours. Because these use a weaker bleaching agent, they require a longer exposure, but can still offer quite effective results when used correctly.
How can I keep my teeth white?
The best way to ensure your teeth maintain a brilliant shine and bright white color is to practice good oral hygiene and avoid foods and beverages that can stain your teeth. These foods are usually acidic or tannin-rich, and include:
- Black teas or coffee
- Red wine and white wine
- Sports drinks
- Sodas, even those that have light colors
- Strongly colored foods like berries
- Strong sauces, especially containing soy, tomatoes or curry
If you stay away from these foods and beverages, you might be able to avoid future teeth whitening procedures entirely.
If you’d like for your teeth to have a brighter, more brilliant appearance, call the office today or make an appointment online.
